By Della Hasselle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
EAST VILLAGE — An exhibit by famed rock photographer Lynn Goldsmith at the Morrison Hotel Gallery will take the space, which was the former home of CBGB, back to its rock roots Thursday night.
"Within a Circle of Friends," which runs from 7-9 p.m., will take an exclusive look at some of the most influential artists in the business with photos of Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, U2 and Bob Marley.
Goldsmith, who is known for her album and magazine covers in Rolling Stone, Life, Newsweek, Time and People, shot her subjects in places that brought out their personas, which were either down-to-earth, gritty or even melancholy.
For example, a lone Lucky Truck parked in the Lower East Side backdrop of a Keith Richards photograph serves as a symbol of his quirky and contrary nature, Goldsmith said.
"There was just something about that Lucky Truck sitting there," she said. "I loved that Keith was walking against traffic. That's just very much like him."
Goldsmith also sought to capture the essence of a girl's response to rock 'n roll by showing herself in a photograph while shooting Bruce Springsteen as he was preparing for a show backstage.
"Women want to know what it's like to be around Bruce Springsteen, and I captured Springsteen as he was practicing a move," she explained. "I was trying to create an image that men and women can identify with."
Other photographs include Bob Dylan looking contemplative during a New York winter afternoon, and U2 walking in the street during the middle of a rainy New York St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The exhibit inherently time travels to take a hard look at the old city that many of these artists called home.
"New York at different periods was really important," Goldsmith said. "It's not the only city there is, but New York is the most powerful city in the world for all of the arts. That's because, at least to me, it's the most important city in the world."
While many artists and musicians may agree with Goldsmith, she readily admitted that her opinion was biased.
"That's, of course, coming from someone who loves New York," she added, laughing.
